Asheville Ale Trail Spring/Summer 2024

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What’s Brewing

Asheville is at the heart of a booming craft beer community here in Western North Carolina. With over 100 breweries located in the city and surrounding mountains, this beautiful region offers everything from unique nano-breweries to some of the biggest names in craft brewing. With so many talented brewing teams, the offerings are creative, diverse – and delicious! Our breweries have put Asheville and Western NC on the craft beer map, earning numerous accolades including multiple medals at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. Flavorful porters and stouts, distinctive sours, complex saisons and lagers, a wide range of IPAs –our breweries brew them all. Beyond brewing excellent beer, this community provides thousands of jobs and has become an integral part of the local economy. We welcome you to town and hope the field guide helps you navigate this amazing craft beer scene. Be sure to check out our Facebook page to keep current on events, tastings and more!

Editor’s Note: Asheville Ale Trail includes hours of operation for local breweries and businesses. Please check directly with each establishment before visiting to confirm current hours and safety protocols.

Hillman Beer

Hillman Beer is a small, family-owned business started in Asheville, NC in 2017. The Hillmans have come together to bring the pub style back to the brewery experience. With an emphasis on quality beer and a focus on classics and comfort, they hope that their beer and pub atmosphere keep you coming back to Hillman Beer. They opened their second location in July of 2020 in Old Fort, NC. In March of 2023 they opened a temporary taproom in Morganton, NC while the permanent taproom is under construction. Come enjoy locally sourced pub fare and tasty brews while soaking up creekside views at their first two locations.

Please visit our website for most

Highland Brewing

Highland Brewing Company, Asheville’s original craft brewery, is woman-led by Leah Wong Ashburn and immigrant-founded by her father, Oscar Wong. Proudly regional, Highland’s beers are distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, & Georgia.

Located on 40-acres in East Asheville, brewery visitors enjoy the freshest brews from Highland’s year-round line up and taproom-only small batch beers. The Meadow features an 18-hole disc golf course and sand volleyball courts with league nights. Visit their taproom with food trucks, live music, and brewery tours!

Wicked Weed Brewing

Located in the heart of Downtown Asheville, Wicked Weed’s original pub inhabits a 2-story Art Deco building with sprawling outdoor seating areas. Wicked Weed burst onto the scene in 2012 with groundbreaking West Coast Style IPAs, Belgian-Inspired Sour Ales, and Barrel-Aged Ales. Now celebrating their 11th year, and an assortment of medals from GABF and others, Wicked Weed produces a wide variety of beer styles. Their seasonally-rotating menu boasts locally-sourced, elevated pub fare. Boasting 56 taps between two levels, Wicked Weed exclusively pours its own beers, along with their newly introduced natural wines and ciders, along with craft cocktails. The 15-barrel brewhouse downstairs hosts free tours every day. Come see where it all began! Visit wickedweedbrewing.com for info on beers, menu, special events, and tours!

Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium

Located in the South Slope, Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium was originally opened in October 2014 as the East Coast’s only sour beer-dedicated taproom. Since then, it has grown into something new entirely! The Funkatorium maintains its sour beer roots and has recently introduced its natural wine and cider brand, Vīdl Cellars. You can also enjoy their many delicious craft cocktail offerings. The Funkatorium’s biergarten boasts beautiful outdoor seating, an additional bar, and a stage. Next door to the Funkatorium is Cultura, Wicked Weed’s James Beard-nominated fine dining restaurant. Cultura is a unique and unforgettable dining experience that showcases some of the most forward-thinking cuisine in Asheville.

Signature Brew Black Angel

Hours: Sun-Th 11am-11pm, F-Sat 11am-12am

Seasonal Favorite Morte Series

One World Downtown

One

One World West

New Belgium Brewing

New Belgium Brewing was said to be “Born on a Bike Seat” more that 30 years ago in Fort Collins, Colorado and pedaled its way into the hearts and minds of the Asheville Community in 2016. Nestled alongside the beautiful French Broad River overlooking the River Arts District, New Belgium’s Liquid Center Tasting Room is a must for anyone, local or weekend warrior alike. Grab a seat in their gorgeous Beer Garden while sipping a delicious Fat Tire, Voodoo Ranger, or your favorite flight option.

New Belgium hosts a daily rotating cast of Asheville food truck favorites. Sign up for a tour experience on New Belgium’s website or just swing by to enjoy the spacious front lawn. Heck, if you’re lucky you might event catch some live music. This brewery truly has something for everyone. Cheers!

Discover Asheville at Hi-Wire Taprooms

Established in 2013, Hi-Wire Brewing links Asheville’s rich brewing tradition with a fun, community-focused, never-takesthemselves-too-seriously vibe. Known for standout beers like the Hi-Pitch Mosaic IPA and the 10W-40 Imperial Stout, Hi-Wire is an essential stop on Asheville’s Ale Trail. Each of Hi-Wire’s three unique Asheville locations offers something special:

South Slope: The birthplace of Hi-Wire in Asheville’s brewing district, where taproom exclusives and sour ales are made. Sneak through the brewhouse to The Tiki Easy Bar for an island-inspired cocktail adventure, boasting a selection of historic and rare rums.

Biltmore Village: Experience the brewing magic firsthand and savor your beer next to the tanks at Hi-Wire’s production facility. Don’t miss The Event Space and Bier Garden, ideal for hosting memorable events.

RAD Beer Garden: An outdoor haven in the eclectic River Arts District, celebrating local artistry with its massive mural-adorned shipping container beer garden.

Visiting Hi-Wire’s taprooms goes beyond just drinking good beer—of which there are 20+ taps full—it’s about the vibrant experiences each location offers making Hi-Wire a staple of Asheville’s beer scene with its commitment to fun, community, and sustainability.

Hi-Wire taprooms serve winning lagers, IPAs,

Burning Blush Brewery

Founded in December 2019, family-owned and operated Burning Blush focuses on traditional European lagers and ales. Order them in a half liter mug across a beautiful rescued 1930s bar. The large taproom gives off a Victorian gothic vibe and is furnished to replicate a German bier hall with large community style tables where conversation amongst beer drinkers reigns supreme. The walls are adorned with an intricate stain glass mural by local Asheville artists that reflects across the original stain glass from the bar. The brewery also has a large, 12,000 square foot outdoor beer garden to accommodate families and furry friends alike. A rotating food truck schedule everyday allows for a different food pairing for each visit.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s craft beer pioneers. Founded in Chico, CA in 1980, Sierra Nevada is internationally renowned for its innovative and hop-forward beers, its use of the finest quality ingredients, and its commitment to sustainability. That pioneering spirit now spans both coasts with the 2014 opening of their new brewery in Mills River, NC – just minutes south of Asheville.

At Sierra Nevada’s jaw-dropping brewery, visitors can walk through our estate garden, grab a pint at the Back Porch Bar and dine in our Taproom. They’ll enjoy creative beer-focused food alongside brewery-fresh Pale Ale, Torpedo, Hazy Little Thing, Strainge Beast, and dozens of small-batch beers not found anywhere else.

Bold Rock Hard Cider – Asheville

Explore what Bold Rock has to offer at their Downtown Asheville taproom. Bold Rock Asheville provides a broad range of craft beverages including hard cider, craft beer, canned cocktails, and more. The Downtown taproom also offers a cider-inspired, from-scratch food menu perfect for lunch, dinner or happy hour. They also serve a southern-style brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Bold Rock Asheville provides a relaxing environment with something for everyone. Visit today!

Bold Rock Hard Cider – Mills River

Bold Rock Hard Cider has called Henderson County, NC home since 2015, using locallysourced North Carolina apples to craft award-winning hard cider in the heart of apple country. Visit Bold Rock Mills River Cidery & Taproom to learn more about the Bold Rock process before relaxing in the large indoor taproom or enjoying live music in the family and dog friendly outdoor cider garden. Food is available daily at the Bold Bites Mobile Kitchen.

Carolina Apple

A crisp and refreshing

Granny Smith-style cider

Blackberry Cider

Rich blackberry paired with a distinctively tart and off-dry finish

Dry Falls Brewing Co.

Dry Falls Brewing Co. started out as a dream between father and son while sitting in a brewery on family vacation. Romanticizing the idea while drinking a flight of twenty-four different brews, Jeff and Evan found their next father/son hobby. They dove into books on brewing, purchased home brewing equipment and decided to brew full grain, just like the pros! Over a six-month period, they built a small working brewery inside Jeff’s garage. Friends, family, and neighbors started coming over and sharing pints.

In 2015 Evan’s mother finally pushed her boys in the direction they needed. She gave the ultimatum “Do it, or stop talking about it.” In August 2016, Dry Falls Brewing Co. was founded and later purchased the Kanuga Rd location. They saw the old body shop for what is could be; a great place for a brewery. Prost!

Blue Ridge Beer Garden

Blue Ridge Beer Garden is the first of its kind in downtown Hendersonville. Originally a 1950s gas station, the space’s reimagining and expansion create a modern-day filling station of a different kind. Boasting 25 beers and ciders on tap, plus an array of wine, seltzers, domestics, craft beer, and non-alcohol options, there is something for everyone’s palate and preference.

The garden offers a large outdoor social environment that allows locals and tourists alike to enjoy a variety of local hops, adult yard games.

Oklawaha Brewing Co

In the heart of downtown Hendersonville, the expanding Oklawaha Brewing is a craft beer lover’s destination. Our brewing team specializes in hop-forward IPAs, crisp lagers, and locally fruited sours, constantly innovating to bring you the best beer experience possible.

Beyond the brews, the rhythm of live music echoes six nights a week, setting the tone for an inviting ambiance that beckons both locals and tourists. The Sunflower Kitchen, operated by the Hendersonville Community Co-op, offers mouth-watering fare right in our taproom. Whether you’re here to relax, socialize, or explore new flavors, Oklawaha Brewing promises a memorable experience with every visit.

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Find your beer

The world of beer is filled with unique flavors. Use this handy guide to find Asheville’s craft beer styles that fit your taste.

Wild Ale Yeast or bacteria are added to any style to create unique flavors

Pilsner Mediumbodied lager typically brewed with German hops BALANCED

Pale Ale

Balanced ale, light color, medium ABV LIGHT HOPS

Schwarzbier Dark, malty and refreshing LIGHT FLAVOR

Berliner Weisse

A tart beer with low ABV and often made with fruit SOUR

TRENDING

Hazy IPA

A fruity, sometime hoppy with a pillowy mouth feel

Barley Wine

Lively and fruity, sweet or bittersweet, always strong INTENSE

A lightbodied ale with some malt START HERE

MEDIUM HOPS

Mexican Lager

India Pale Ale (IPA)

Flavorful, hop-forward with a malt balance

Brown Ale Smooth ale with nutty flavor accents CARAMEL

ʻGoes-uh’ A light, tart and slightly salty beer REFRESHING

Gose

Milk Stout Stouts are brewed to have residual sugar & lactose for a creamy mouth feel BREAKFAST

These ʻPastry Stouts’ taste like a boozy dessert DECADENT

HOP BOMB

Imperial Stout

Wheat Beers

Brewed with wheat barley, golden with a silky rich head

West Coast IPA

A very hoppy take on a classic hoppy style

Porter More fullbodied than stouts with rich roasty notes FILLING

Saison

Ales with fruity, barnyard-like notes MUSTY

OLD WORLD

TRIPEL

A Belgianstyle with multi-layer flavor and heft

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It’s music to your beers.

Whether it’s drinkin’ and honkeytonkin’, hours of jam, or songs to soothe your soul, we have the music to drink by. Hand-crafted, roots-oriented music, eclectically brewed in house.

We’re like the craft beer of public radio.

Photo: Vicki Dameron